Habits for the Win

*edited to add: Winners have been chosen! Click here to see if it’s you!*

Habits. I have several I love, and many that get in the way of what I want to accomplish. Today, instead of bemoaning my negative tendencies, I decided it’s time to put some effort into building my more positive habits. And I need your help.

What do you get for helping me? Well…how about an advance review copy of MAGIC FOR A PRICE, the *final* book in the Allie Beckstrom series?

Yes, I got a few ARC’s in the other day, and I’m going to do a couple giveaways! This is the first giveaway. I will choose two winners via random number generator and post the winner on Thursday August 30th. I’ll mail internationally. Remember, this is the advanced copy, so no pretty cover, and plenty of typos on the inside. But hey–last book in the series! You could be the first on your block to read it!

(This is the last book in the Allie Beckstrom series. HOWEVER, I am happy to announce I’m writing two spin-off books in the same world, The Breaker Series, which will feature Shame and Terric (and perhaps other friendly faces) so there will be more books, but not from Allie’s point of view. More on that later.)

So here’s what I need from you today. I’m behind in my reading again and need some book recommendations. What are the books you’ve recently read and loved? Any genre (also non-fic) welcome!

I’m looking to stock up on several dozen new reads, and I’m *very* behind, so even if it’s an older book or series, feel free to share–there’s a good chance I missed it.

Also, if there’s a book coming out that you are SUPER excited about, I’d love to hear about that too. I’m making a list, you see, so I can refill my TBR stack as it gets low.

Other good habits? Well, I’ve managed some knitting. Here’s a glimpse of my latest project, a baby blanket and baby hat for my friend:

Comments

I just read the last two of the Ursula Blanchard series, Queen Without A Crown and Queen’s Bounty. These are Elizabethan mysteries, really fun to read. The first by Fiona Buckley was To Shield A Queen.

Other recent reads are In A Fix by Linda Grimes and This Case Is Gonna Kill Me by Phillipa Bornikova. Two debuts in urban fantasy which I loved.

Recent books I’ve adored:
Easy by Tammara Webber (also rec her Between the Lines series!)
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
Love Story by Jennifer Echols
Slammed by Colleen Hoover, and the sequal Point of Retreat
13 by Kelley Armstrong

Those are just my latest loves, and the easiest titles for me to remember lol.

Thanks for the comp!! I’m so excited for Magic With a Price, but if I’m totally honest, I think I want the Shame/Terric spin offs more… 😉

I wish I had good habits to promote, but I’m currently weeding through my bad ones to get things done.

I recently finished 13 by Kelley Armstrong, the last in her Women of the Otherworld series and it was fantastic. I’m chomping at the bit waiting for Seanan McGuire’s newest October Daye novel and Michelle Sagara’s newest Cast novel. Looking at the previous post, I think I’ll go check out Sagara’s YA…

The Time Wars is my absolute favorite series f all time! I still have all my original books from around the late-80s/early-90s, but I’m afraid that if I try cracking them open again the pages will go spilling out. I wish I could find them in an eFormat.

I can’t find books 9, 11, and 12, but I’ve been slowly building up my collection over several years now! And the books are from at least 5 different states’ used bookstores! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’s heard of this series 🙂

I just finished Daniel O’Malley’s “The Rook” and was quite enamored of it. –“The body you are wearing used to be mine.” So begins the letter Myfanwy Thomas is holding when she awakes in a London park surrounded by bodies all wearing latex gloves. With no recollection of who she is, Myfanwy must follow the instructions her former self left behind to discover her identity and track down the agents who want to destroy her.

Sounds interesting, no?

I am also working my way slowing through Catherynne Valente’s “Ventriloquism” which is also fantastic. If you haven’t read any of Ms. Valente’s work I’d highly recommend “Palimpsest” or “The Habitation Of The Blessed: A Dirge For Prester John (vol. 1)”.

Jacqueline Carey’s “Dark Currents” came out quite recently. I haven’t read it yet but I’ve heard excellent reviews of it and her Kushiel series is one of my all-time favorites.

If you don’t mind YA books I really liked Kelly Creagh’s “Nevermore” and the second book “Enshadowed” comes out tomorrow (already per-ordered!) so I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow. 😉

What else? I’d be surprised if no one else has mentioned it but if you haven’t already been tipped off to Patrick Rothfuss’s Kingkiller Chronicles they come high recommended.

There’s a start for some of my favorite fantasy authors. Hopefully you’ll find some ideas that interest you.

Gunmetal Magic – Super good! I just started Riveted by Meljean Brook and so far it’s another winner 😀
I tell everyone I know to read the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow. I read 18 in 3 months. The 1st in the series, A Cold Day for Murder, is FREE on Kindle.
I am anxiously waiting – Mad River – John Sandford, Notorius Nineteen – Janet Evanovich, Delusions in Death – JD Robb.. I could go on and on.

The day u pick ur winner is my 32th Anniversary. I love that u r going to have spin off of the Allie B. series. I have soo many books i love. Will the three 50 shapes of grey of course and “the royal blood chronicles” by Elizabeth Loranie, r a few that will get ur blood moving. u have a great week it could always be worst. Dena k.

Easy by Tammara Webber was pretty damn good. I’ve read one of the books in her other series (Between the lines) and I’m enjoying it immensely. In the same vein as Tammara Webber, (re: New YA/ Mature Adult).. I read Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits and it’s fantastic.

Michelle Sagara (West).. writes fabulous books, too. I haven’t yet checked out Silence but I’m a Huge fan of her Chronicles of Elantra series. Cast in Peril comes out in mid Sept and I’m very excited about it.

Blade Song by J.C. Daniels (aka Shiloh Walker) was another one I picked up because it sounded intriguing.. and it didn’t let me down.
Rogue’s Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy
I ended up buying most of Moira Rogers backlist when they put out Crux for free.. her whole Southern Arcana series and a few other books of theirs.

I am not sure how it will turn out, but it caught my eye in the stores and I have just started it; Spellbent by Lucy A Snyder. Also, I just finished a re-read of Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress, always a good one.

I agree with whoever said 13 by Kelley Armstrong (though if you haven’t read the rest of the Women of the Otherworld series, you should probably start at the beginning). Also Patricia Briggs’ Alpha & Omega series. Or basically anything by Jennifer Brown (starting with Hate List). Or Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. (Er… I’ve read a lot of good books lately.)

Sad that the Allie Beckstrom series is ending, but excited for this book (and more than excited for some Shame and Terric books)! Thanks for the giveaway!

Just finished the third book in the Rebel Angels series by Gillian Philip. (My heart is still in shreds) Not sure what the availiablity is like in the US but they are fantastic. (Firebrand, Bloodstone, Wolfsbane and the fourth out next summer. Also a short called Frost Child).

I really really enjoyed Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson! It was so incredibly awesome! I loooved this Tiger Lily although she is far different than Disney’s quiet version. It was a remarkable tale!

On an adult reading level…wow. I feel behind on lots of those too! I am really looking forward to Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson! Reading some good reviews, plus it sounds really awesome! It’s about werewolves, a female in particular who has an AWESOME name! 😉

I’m really looking forward to Kat Richardson’s “Seawitch.” Anything by James Rollins is FANTASTIC! Kay Hooper hit one out of the park with her newest release, “Haven.” I just got “Heron’s Cove” by Carla Neggers. I haven’t started it yet, but it is Carla Neggers, so it’s sure to be good. Oh, and there’s this dame who wrote something called “Tin Swift” that I heard was okay, so I bought it, but I haven’t read it yet either, so no promises.

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig…soon to be followed by Mockingbird. Not a read for the faint of heart. It’s gritty, dark, hilariously funny, profane, and will tear your inner squishy bits out of the bodily orifice of your choice.

I was just re-reading Nalini Singh, I like the angel series. I enjoyed Diana Pharaoh Francis and the Horngate Witches line, Lots of books coming out Sept 4th, looking forward to Ilona Andrews and Singh both having new books on that date. I recently started reading Devon Monk and pretty much had to buy them all one by one as I devoured them.

The book I’m most anxiously waiting on is Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig.

I’ve read a bunch of good books recently that I’d recommend.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. Its a YA about a teen who took over ghost killing afterhis father dies and a particularly nasty ghost that challenges him in every way. Its a little emo, a touch scary and thoroughly enjoyable.

Blood and Feathers by Lou Morgan. This one is tough to describe. A little Alice in Wonderland, if Wonderland was hell and all the crazy characters were angels. Some parts reminded me of Clive Barker’s writing.

Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway. Her books are always a little emo mixed with humor, and this one is no different. The heroine is a coroner who thinks she’s nuts but discovers she’s just more aware of the world around her than most.

Finally – Technomancer by BV Larson. Again, I think this is one you just have to read. Its kind of a detective novel, but not. The main character has memory loss and he’s playing catch up as he deals with crazy stuff happening all around him.

I just finished SILVER by Rhiannon Hold. She is a new author and this book is about werewolves but it’s a very different storyline. I read the last half the book in one sitting! You will find religious elements to the characters’ stories, mysteries to solve, and personal issues to overcome to heal. There is even the question of a werewolf being able to lose that aspect of themselves–no longer being able to change. Interesting question, don’t you think?

My husband read a good YA novel the other day, Unwind by Neal Shusterman. From Amazon, “In America after the Second Civil War, the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life armies came to an agreement: The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, a parent may choose to retroactively get rid of a child through a process called “unwinding.” Unwinding ensures that the child’s life doesn’t “technically” end by transplanting all the organs in the child’s body to various recipients. Now a common and accepted practice in society, troublesome or unwanted teens are able to easily be unwound.”

And I recently read both of Jason Starr’s werewolf books, The Pack and The Craving, and found them frustrating and interesting at the same time. I even wrote up reviews on GoodReads about them, which I rarely ever do. The stories compelled me enough to do that.

I have recently finished Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong and loved it, as well as, Carrie Vaughn’s latest Kittie Norville novel. I always love those and put down whatever I am currently reading to read those voraciously. (I do the same with Allie Beckstrom novels as well.)

I cannot wait for the next novel and am glad you are not walking away from the world you created completely. I love Terric and Shame and cannot wait to read their backstory!!

Two favorites from my recent reading list were The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern -(it’s gorgeous!), and The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (which is smart and witty – no pun intended). I’m currently luxuriating in the awesomeness of re-reading a favorite series, in this case the Kate Damiels series by Ilona Andrews (and of course Andrea’s book is next), and then I’m re-reading The Chronicles of Elantra in anticipation of Cast in Peril.
I’m so stoked that the new Allie book comes out just in time for my birthday, and I’ll be re-reading that series soon too!

I am (im)patiently waiting for Ilona Andrew’s final Edge book out thats not due till November. I would recommend Karen Chances books, along with Kevin Hearne for a fantasy type book. If you like mystery books and have not read Robert Crais I would absolutely put him on the TBR pile. Good writing, witty dialogue and interesting characters. What’s not to love about someone who’s answering machine is just the beep… and when asked why respond, intelligence test?

Of two minds on this book…..can’t wait for it to come out…but also will be sad to see the last one! I’m really looking forward to the spinoff books though, Shame is one of my favorites!

As far as books to read, there’s a new one coming out on August 31st, called “The Guardians” by Andrew P Weston (he’s on FB under that name) and I’ve gotten to read some previews of it, it looks to be a good one!

As for other books I’ve read and enjoyed… I’ve been reading a bit of Ann Aguirre’s work! Particularly her Sirantha Jax series. I still need to pick up some of her other books, but really enjoying Jax’s story so far! Fun little sci-fi getaway for me. =3

I’m so looking forward to MAGIC FOR A PRICE!!! And then the spin off series! I have so much love for Shame and Terric!!!

I’ve been reading a lot lately. I loved GUNMETAL MAGIC by Ilona Andrews so much that I had to go back and re-read all of the books in that world setting again after. I just finished reading Carolyn Crane’s novella DEVIL’S LUCK which I loved so much. I also really enjoyed Allison Pang’s A SLIVER OF SHADOW and can’t wait for the next book to come out! I re-read WAR FOR THE OAKS by Emma Bull for the 5th or 6th time maybe (since I first read it about 15 years ago) and it still remains one of my favorite stand alone novels ever.

would love to read Magic for a Price, typos and all. That said reciently found The House of Night series by PC Cast and Kristin Cast, Bloodline series or Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, The Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind and the top of my TBR pile, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand with a story about a WW II Veteran. Hope you find something you like.

I have fallen in love with Patricia Briggs – Mercy Thompson series, and Ilona Andrews – I adored the series The Edge, and Kate Daniels. I have Tin Swift in my TBR pile, but it’s a birthday gift and I was told I have to wait for it.

The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews is a fun read.
I just started the Alpha Omega series by P Briggs the first book leaves be wanting more.
I have won several new releases in contest will report back when I have finished them.

I am really loving the “Alex Craft” series by Kalayna Price.
“Grave Witch”
“Grave Dance”
“Grave Memory”
I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a good read! And I will greatly miss Allie!!! Looking forward to more Shame!!!!

I was so stoked when you had first announced the Shame & Terric spinoff, it had made my day! It makes letting Allie go just a little bit easier. Can’t wait to read Price!!!!

I have a few rec’s I’ve recently read that I enjoyed lots- Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (YA) and Dark Soul by Aleksandr Voinov (Written in 5 parts, not sure what to classify it as- it’s M/M mafia thriller/erotica? Really intense read! …you did say anything & everything! lol) and lastly last week Jennifer Estep released Widow’s Web (#7 in her UF Elemental Assassin series) Hope you give them a shot & Enjoy! 🙂

I really liked the Sarah Douglass- Wayfarer’s Redemption series. I just finished reading Mercedes Lackey’s Beauty and the Werewolf, which I enjoyed. I would also recommend Karen Chance’s “Midnight’s Daughter” and “Death’s Mistress”. It looks like you’ve already gotten quite a few great recommendations for your TBR pile!

Lots of good books suggestions up above [many I’ve read and enjoyed myself] so I’m going to mention several of my favorites that aren’t well known (other commenters should read these too, these are EXCELLENT books, just not mainstream)
1) Dragons of Wendal, Maria E. Schneider (she has two series other than this, one cozy mystery and one urban fantasy that are also good but this one is a standalone fantasy with dragons, werewolves, gryphons and magic)
2) All the Paths of Shadow, Frank Tuttle (he has another fantasy with a hardboiled detective called Markhat but this is his new steampunk fantasy and I love it)
3) Stained Glass Monsters, Andrea Host (this is the only one of hers I’ve read yet and it was really good)
4) Unicorn on Speed Dial, Jeanette Cotrell (how can you go wrong with a title like that? Horrid cover, ignore it and enjoy the story)

I’ve always got books to mention and share. Feel free to ask for more! I read quite a lot and my to read pile is over 1,000 titles long. I love me some GoodReads for helping me keep them all straight. Great place to find like-minded readers and find out what they are reading and enjoying or not liking, if this ‘bribe your fans with ARCs’ doesn’t work 😉 Although, from the number of comments, it seems to be working quite well for you!

Love the Allie series, am going to cry if ok really when someone dies. 🙁
That union jack is too cool, I want a pillow or a hat like that. Cool.
OK, I enjoy Lois McMaster Bujold’s far future space series The Vorkosigan series – it starts with Shards of Honor.
Her characters are amazing and she can really do that universe building thing. She just came out with a new one too.

The iron druid chronicles by Kevin Hearne is one of my favorites but I also have been enjoying three different series by indie authors that deserve so much applause:
The Mageri Series by Dannika Dark
The Caged Series by Amber Lynn Natusch
The Chosen Series by Denise Grover Swank
These three series I have read more than once and have been trying to spread the word – as I do with your AB series – because they are that good, and in my opinion deserve a shot!
I hope you check them out, they are all Adult Urban Fantasy.

I loved everything by Kimberley Frost and cant wait for her newest release. Diana Gabaldon is also one of my favorites.
a YA series that was good..was “the strange angels ” series…unfortunately I cant recall the author at the moment.

I recommend Amanda Downum’s Necromancer Chronicles.
1. The Drowning City
2. The Bone Palace
3. The Kingdoms of Dust (This one is sitting on my bookshelf waiting for me to start it)
This series got me interested in high fantasy again after being away from it for a few years.

I’m almost quarter of the way through Lamentation (The Psalms of Isaak, book #1) If you were in a bookstore with Tracy he would gladly hand sell you this book.

Kimberly Derting’s Body Finer Series (Paranormal Romance)
1. The Body Finder
2. Desires of the Dead
3. The Last Echo
She has a YA Dystopian series too that I haven’t read. The Pledge

The Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh……..one of my fav series. I just finished what i think is the tenth book in the series, Tangle of need and dying for the next one. I’m also cannot wait to read magic for a price 😀

So many comments 😀 ok I haven’t had much time to read much, i love the Allie series! gah so excited I got a signed copy 🙂 I’ve been wanting to read your short story collection but my last visit to Powells I didn’t have enough to purchase it and ended up leaving it behind…I’m hitting myself now :b

Anyway! My ultimate favorite book is Hero by Perry Moore 🙂 if you’re into exploring something different. You have to be a bit open minded since its a story of a gay super hero teen who’s coming to terms with his identity and how he wants to live his life as a superhero. It’s adorable I LOVED it. Sometimes I wish I could forgert it just so I could read it again for the first time 🙂

Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson was fabulous, its a great book my a new author. She had me hooked the moment I read the .99 cent prelude (Blooded) to the book; fascinating characters and chalk full of action. However, I am looking forward to G.A Aiken’s new book How to Drive a Dragon Crazy out next week; the latest in a series of hysterically funny and slightly bloody novels each featuring strong female characters.

Recent reads that I would recommend to others include:
~ The Secret Texts series by Holly Lisle: Diplomacy of Wolves(book 1), Vengeance of Dragons(book 2) & Courage of Falcons(book 3). Good series set in another world with magic, sailing ships, swords and other humanoids.

~ The Green Rider series by Kristen Britain is good and a bit less known. Starting with Green Rider, then First Riders Call, The High King’s Tomb and Blackveil. I have my fingers crossed that she will come out with additional books, but being she seems to have 3 to 5 years between it is just a waiting game.

~ The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, gobbled up thru Heartless and am looking forward to reading Timeless soon. Was introduced to the “Steampunk” with Dead Iron and have found I really like the concept, and have for years without knowing it was a category all its own. Although you have most likely already read these.

~ If you haven’t read books by Michelle Sagara West, who goes by different versions of the three names she has a lot of good books out I would and have recommended. ~ The Sun Sword (6 books) by Michelle West ~ The House War (5 books so far) by Michelle West ~ The Sacred Hunt (2 books) by Michelle West – All three series are set in the same world, but at different times in its history. Not sure looking back if I would recommend reading them in the order published or chronologically by date of the events. ~ Books of the Sundered (4 books) by Michelle Sagara West ~ Chronicles of Elantra (7 books so far) by Michelle Sagara – Each set in different worlds from the other series, with the Elantra books being almost like an Urban Fantasy, but not in our world, and with magic.

I could go on and on and on, but that gives you at least nine different series by four different ladies that I have enjoyed reading. That is in addition to your fellow authors here on Deadline Dames that I also enjoy.
Hope you get time to read soon!

Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series is an original take on urban fantasy with a great twist of humour that makes everything seem all that much more real.

Michelle Rowen has several great series – including her Living in Eden series and her Immortality Bites series which recently got a reboot in the mystery genre.

Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series is terrific with a really unique heroine and even more unique premise – I mean, heck, the heroine is an assassin.

Darynda Jones has a positively hilarious series featuring Charley Davidson, the grim reaper and PI who has her hands full with the unrestful dead, her homicide detective uncle’s cases and, oh yeah, the son of Satan.

I recently read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Jones. It’s on the Booker longlist and so far away from my usual reading it’s in another universe, but the story is AMAZING! I totally recommend it. Also, Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn was surprisingly good – at first I didn’t think I liked it, but it’s LONG and I never put it down until it was done, around 4 AM … so apparently I liked it a lot more than I realized xD

I was utterly captivated by Elizabeth’s Wein’s Code Name Verity. (YA Historical set in WW2).
I also really loved Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Franny Billinglsely’s Chime. (Both YA Paranormal and both fantastic books, full of color and texture.)

I havent read for pleasure in year’s but a friend of mine suggested On the island by Tracey Garvis-Graves. After reading the synopsis I was a little skeptical but decided to give it a try. OMG best book I have read in a long time. Human emotion at its best.

I just finished some really good reads, The Iron Wyrm Affair by that other lovely dame, Lilith Saintcrow and Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews. Read Gunmetal Magic in one sitting. I’m an archaeology student so another I just finished is House of Rain by Craig Childs- very good even if you aren’t interested in Southwest archaeology. Just started Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn for a class and so far, pretty awesome for a college class nonfiction.
Can’t wait for Magic For a Price! And Shame and Terric’s series. AAH!

I absolutely love the Magician’s Guild books by Trudi Canavan, and everything else by her, too. The worlds she creates are just breathtaking, a must-read for one! Others I’d recommend would have to be the Anita Blake books by Laurell K. Hamilton, and I recently read the first October Daye book by Seanan McGuire, it’s called Rosemary and Rue, and I loved it! Definitely a series I’ll be reading more of!

Recently books read and loved ^^
i can recommend The ministry of pecular occurrences series by Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris ( steampunk, steampunk romance) i absolutely loved the first 2 books Phoenix Rising and The janus affair ( there are also some free podcast and teh short storie from the podcast are available but only in digital format at the moment)

Also i love the Bloodhound files series by DD Barant ( a bit of mix between criminals minds and ncis : les expert but in a parallel world where human are nearly extinct^^) five books published so far Dying bites is the first one

next my favorite from long ago: the night huntress serie by jeanie frost, the mercy thompson serie by patricia briggs and by the same author i absolutely loved The Hob Bargain ^^ ( fantasy full of humor adventure and romance), kate daniels series by ilona andrews

Jim Galford writes a fabulous epic fantasy series – the 2nd book just came out – In Wilder Lands & Into the Desert Wilds. Anna Dressed in Blood is good so far. Also, Lizzy Ford’s Rhyn series is worth the read. And if you’re looking for another book with an Allie, check out Allie’s War: Rook (plus series) by J.C. Andrijeski.

I am super excited about Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh. Ilona Andrews read it and loved it http://www.ilona-andrews.com/news/friends/archangels-storm-by-nalini-singh so I would take that into consideration. I just finished Fair Game by Patricia Briggs and enjoyed it though I do like her Mercy Thompson books better. And I am rereading the Dante Valentine novels which I absolutely loved — in case you haven’t read them I would strongly suggest that you do.

If you haven’t read it yet, I’d highly recommend Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti. It’s a romantic steampunk story that I love. And I’ve just finished reading Heaven by Christoph Marzi, which could probably best be described as Neil Gaiman for young adults, with a touch of Dickens thrown in for good measure. A very unusual story, but a great read.

Hope I’m not too late here. Jaye Wells’s Sabina Kane series is amazeballs. As is Kelly Gay’s Charlie Madigan. As for good habits…I don’t think I have any. I think I drink a good amount of water. That’s something, right?

I am currently reading the book “Eat Prey Love” by Kerrelyn Sparks. It is part of a series, and a great series it is! Along with some very sexy vampires and shape shifters, Sparks adds her own bit of humor that often has me laughing out loud!

Read “Sanctus” and “The Key” by Simon Toyne. Loved them-Dan Brown style thrillers, plus the new “Odd Apocalypse”. Just enjoy the Odd Thomas books so much but then Koontz is a master. Waiting for the new Dresden book, miss Harry.

I love how I do not recognize most of the authors people have listed here, I will have to check some of them out!

Here is my list:

Brent Weeks – THE BLACK PRISM is out in paperback and it is full of awesome characters (including multiple strong women), crazy twists, lots of action, a unique and detailed magic system based around light, and some great humor. It is the first book in a series and the follow up, THE BLINDING KNIFE, is out on the 11th. I can not recommend Weeks enough =)

Mark Lawrence – PRINCE of THORNS and KING of THORNS are the first two books in his debut trilogy. They are told mostly from the first person perspective and have one of the best “anti heroes” I have ever seen written (right up there with C.S. Friedman). These are very dark and violent books but much of that comes from the brilliant writing that makes everything vivid and a straight shot to the gut/head/heart. This is a fantasy series but it is set in our future and has a very low magic component. The story is full of twists and I promise you that your impressions of the main character will change drastically over the course of the two books.

Erin Morgenstern – THE NIGHT CIRCUS, this book is told from the first, third, and second (yes second!) perspective. At its core it is a love story told against the backdrop of a fantastical circus that literally filled me with awe and wonder as I was reading. It is set in our world with just the smallest bit of magic added. I dare anyone to read this book at not want to visit this world.

Daniel Polansky – LOW TOWN, this is a fantasy combined with a noir detective novel. The world and characters are like nothing I have read in a fantasy novel before. Sometimes when genres are blended the result is a bland mess but in this case Polansky combines the two into something far more than the sum of its parts. The central mystery had me stumped until the very end.

Jeff Salyards – SCOURGE OF THE BETRAYER, this is a dark gritty small unit fantasy in the style of Cook or parts of Erikson with a major twist, it is told from the point of view of a scribe. Think of a modern war reporter story but set in a medieval fantasy world. The perspective works brilliantly and the story satisfies while still leaving many mysteries of the wider world hinted at and unresolved.

Dan Wells – THE HOLLOW CITY, finally on the topic of unique perspectives is this novel, it is told from the first person perspective of a skitsofrantic. This is the ultimate in an unreliable narrator and it is a total blast to read. There is a central mystery that is built on top of the meta story of not being able to trust what is real or false. A highly entertaining thriller.

A series I definitely recommend is The Emperor’s Edge Series by Lindsay Buroker. A lot of the authors that have already been mentioned are amazing, such as Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Jennifer Estep, …
Also, if you haven’t heard of it yet, Angelfall by Susan Ee is great, just like War-N-Wit, Inc. by Gail Roughton, or A Gift of Ghosts and A Gift of Thought by Sarah Wynde.

Thanks for a fabulous giveaway! I’m in the process of gorging myself on the Ilona Andrew’s body of work… the Kate Daniels series and the Edge series… I also really enjoyed Moonglow by Kristen Callihan.

The Sabina Kane series by Jaye wells and the Jane True series by Nicole Peeler are both great and have had books come out recently. Also I really like the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn. I’m SUPER excited for Magic for a Price to come out as well as Shadow Rising, the next book in the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn, and Tempest Reborn the final book in the Jane True series by Nicole Peeler. For other habits, I have finished building the mini furniture that is going inside the model of Hagrid’s hut that I built based off the Harry Potter books.

My current loves are the Jane True series by Nicole Peeler. Hilarious supernatural shenanigans in a small New England town, what more is there to love? Aaaand the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka. It’s described as the British Harry Dresden–perfectly combines my love of London and magic, so as a rec, it’s a must read.

Sad that Allie is coming to an end (it’s been such an awesome ride), but I’m as equally excited about Shame and Terric’s books. That. Is. Amazing! 😀

Ooh – looks like an awesome giveaway! As for reccomendations, I’m a fan of John Hart’s The Last Child. It’s an awesome mystery novel that leaves you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the very end. My other reccomendation would be Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita. It is a great Soviet satirical tale and one can’t help but love the fact that one of the main characters is a gun-slinging, vodka-drinking cat!

I’ve recently discovered Ann Aguirre’s work and I have to say I love everything I’ve read so far. My favorite of her series is the Sirantha Jax series, although the Corine Solomon series is really good too.

One of my favorite authors is Michelle Sagara West. The Sunsword Series and by extension the House Wars series are excellent. She recently came out with a YA book called Silence which was pretty interesting and I’ll be buying the next book in that series. Her “Cast in” series is also good, although admittedly the main character starts out whiny but she grows throughout the series which is great.

Obviously anything by Ilona Andrews is gold. The Kinsmen novellas are also really excellent short reads and people shouldn’t pass those up.

I’ve recently discovered Brandon Sanderson’s Well of Ascension series which is pretty awesome.

Also Brent Weeks’ new series, the Lightbringer series had a really gripping start with the Black Prism, and his second book The Binding Knife is going to be released mid-September which is something to look forward to.

In the romance category anything by Sherry Thomas I’ve found to be enjoyable but my favorites are: Private Arrangements, Beguiling the Beauty, and Not Quite a Husband.

I also enjoy Meredith Duran’s work, my favorite being the Duke of Shadows and Written on Your Skin.

Somehow I got really behind on all my books I read. But I could recommend Kaylayna Price Alex Craft Books. I’m really looking forward to reading the new Deadtown book by Nancy Holzer also. Just trying to catch up really.

I just finished shadow of the night by Deborah harkness, golden Lilly by richelle mead and shadow fever by Karen Marie mining within this last week now it is onto pleasure unbound from the demonica series by Larissa ione!!! Happy reading!!!

I love that you are trying to fill your TBR lists as it gets low. I’m always adding to my TBR list 🙂
I really enjoyed The Fever series and can’t wait for Iced by Karen Marie Moning.
I recently read The Recokoning by Alma Katsu. It’s the sequel to The Taker. It’s dark, it’s paranormal with some historical and pretty intriguing.

While I am sad the the awesome Allie Beckstrom series is coming to an end, I am super excited to see how it will all come to an end! Personally, I’d reccomend anything by Stacia Kane. I’m really into her Downside Ghost books and her Personal Demons series is also quite enjoyable. Thanks for the giveaway!

Oh my gods I’m excited for the final
Allie book! I’m even more thrilled at the prospect of the Breaker series! That’s fantastic!
I just read the Magicians and the Magician King by Lev Grossman. fantastic books! Anxiously awaiting the 3rd in the series.
Right now I’m reading Becoming the Enchahter by lyn Webster Wilde. It takes you on an amazing journey. <3

Hmm… It’s hard to think of something right now because I’m obsessing over Allie Beckstrom! You’ve probably already read it, but I’ll suggest the Hannibal Lecter series. Either that, or The Phantom of the Opera. Now, time to get back to obsessing over Allie!

My wife absolutely loves this series and it would be amazing to surprise her with this! I don’t read much right now, but am currently reading Pandora’s Star by Peter Hamilton. According to my wife though, I need to start reading this series as well!

I’m heartbroken, distraught even, that this series is ending for Allie. I found it in June and read every single book in like three weeks. I found out the next one was the last one and drown my sorrows in ice cream.

As for recommendations on other books, the most recent Jennifer Estep book is great. I also read Gunmetal Magic, before I finished the Kate Daniels series because I’m a moron. It’s a great book though. If you’re looking for an easy quick read, The Vampire Shrink is an easy one. I’d give it a 3/5 because part of it are just absurd.

The book I’m most excited about at the moment is one I bought yesterday – Sewing for Dummies! Raving about that at the moment. If it’s fiction you’re after, anything in the Valdermaar series by Mercedes Lackey is always a good bet. Enjoy!

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in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

I love your stories and can’t wait for the next book to come out. I love reading about my home town, its like a quiet character in the background. I am sad this is the last book but all good things come to an end.

I just recently finished reading the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. It was an interesting POV that took classic stories and added a modern twist, while still maintaining the true to characters like Puck, Oberon, and Titania.

Hope you can find some interesting reads among all the suggestions you have received. Thanks for sharing your stories…..can’t wait for the next one.

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[…] of the advanced *uncorrected* copy of MAGIC FOR A PRICE, and the first giveaway is over on the Deadline Dames today! Just click here and you will be taken to the post, where I’m asking for your reading recommendations. Two […]